LEWISTON — Community groups and event organizers that work well with others could get priority funding according to a new policy being considered by Lewiston Councilors Tuesday.

City Councilors are considering a new  policy to control how community groups and event organizers ask for financial support.
It would determine how the city funds events like the annual Great
Falls Balloon Festival, the July 4 Liberty Festival and the Festival
Franco Fun as well as smaller events in city parks and buildings.

Councilors are scheduled to review the proposed policy at a special workshop, 6 p.m. Nov. 24 in Lewiston City Hall. The discussion is the only item listed on the council’s agenda.

According to the new policy, events and groups that are asking to use city spaces or for in-kind contributions but no cash would not have to file a formal application. Organizers would have to show that they have support from the city itself, county, state or national organizations.

Groups seeking money would need to submit a formal application for City Council approval. Those groups would have to be not-for-profit group promoting a recreation, cultural or community service to Lewiston residents. They’d have to receive at least half of their funding from another source or show that they’ve exhausted all other funding sources.

The City Council could also provide start-up funds for new events or festivals and would continue to support existing events and festivals as long as the city gets a tangible financial benefit.

City money would not be available to pay for social assistance, travel expenses, uniforms, businesses, individuals, service clubs or  political groups. Church groups that limit attendance to their own members couldn’t receive money nor would groups that get more than half their funding from the state or federal government.

[email protected]